If the Hungarians can dump Orbán and his parliament after 16 years, we BETTER be able to defeat Trump’s Congress after two! We Trans people saw what was coming because Trump came after us first. In essence we along with people of color have been the canaries in the coal mine. Now go out and VOTE, like our Hungarian trans brothers and sisters.
J. D. Vance tried to export the same tired anti-trans playbook during his visit to Viktor Orbán—and it flopped. Just like in the U.S., where Republican campaigns keep pushing anti-trans messaging that voters increasingly tune out, it’s a strategy that keeps missing the mark. How many losses does it take before they realize this isn’t a winning message?
the opposition must continue to focus on affordability to win races and regain control - once they get power back they can address other important very important areas like trans health care - not that they should avoid it in the mean time
Good for Hungary. I hope these types of losses for authoritarian leaders keep happening around the world. Hopefully, people will look at what the U.S. is doing and say "no thanks."
JD Vance is a loathsome pompous douche who is trying to spread his own vile transphobia, and so grateful he always fails. The ghost of Pope Francis will shadow his every doltish move.
Anti-trans messaging will continue to fail, both in Hungary and hopefully also in the U.S., as people continue to struggle with escalating housing and health care and insurance costs, and they realize that transphobia is a costly and useless distraction that solves none of these problems.
Hungarians realized that it's not trans people who are making their lives miserable, it's Orban and his corruption. Hopefully Americans are coming to that conclusion as well.
The example of Poland has shown that extricating far-right demagoguery and prejudice from the state won't be a quick fix. I am also not completely convinced a politician who only defected from Fidesz two years ago will prove a reliable standard bearer for liberty and individual dignity. On the other hand, liberal Hungary showed last year that it was not afraid to stand up, be heard and counted and so there is a good chance that Magyar and Tisza can be pushed in the right direction, even if their original game plan was merely to not bother weaponising the state against LGBTQ+ people without undoing the damage already done. Perhaps this might also be one step towards Europe becoming what America ought to have been, though many more would be needed for that happy outcome.
Based on Hungary's history (during WW2), I have been concerned these last 16 years. Then, to have J.D. Vance parading around with the authoritarian (to the enthusiastic applause of the MAGA crowd), I feared for the worst. I'm cautiously optimistic now.
Even more importantly than the laws, the 2/3 majority enables him (really, his party) to undo the structural changes instituted over the past 16 years designed to make Orban's regime (which is more than just Orban himself) hard to displace.
I will have trouble forgiving myself if I feel later I have jinxed things to say it -- the end of Orbanism is a part of a trend. To the mid-terms!
Thank you, Erin.
Your words to the gods' ears! May the trend continue!
If the Hungarians can dump Orbán and his parliament after 16 years, we BETTER be able to defeat Trump’s Congress after two! We Trans people saw what was coming because Trump came after us first. In essence we along with people of color have been the canaries in the coal mine. Now go out and VOTE, like our Hungarian trans brothers and sisters.
J. D. Vance tried to export the same tired anti-trans playbook during his visit to Viktor Orbán—and it flopped. Just like in the U.S., where Republican campaigns keep pushing anti-trans messaging that voters increasingly tune out, it’s a strategy that keeps missing the mark. How many losses does it take before they realize this isn’t a winning message?
It shows that a manufactured " panic" only has so much mileage in it.
Maybe the opposition in the US can figure out how to exploit this.
the opposition must continue to focus on affordability to win races and regain control - once they get power back they can address other important very important areas like trans health care - not that they should avoid it in the mean time
'How many losses does it take before they realize this isn’t a winning message?'
Hopefully, a very great many. I do enjoy watching them shoot themselves in the foot that way.
Good for Hungary. I hope these types of losses for authoritarian leaders keep happening around the world. Hopefully, people will look at what the U.S. is doing and say "no thanks."
JD Vance is a loathsome pompous douche who is trying to spread his own vile transphobia, and so grateful he always fails. The ghost of Pope Francis will shadow his every doltish move.
In fairness the couch didn’t disclose it was trans. It was pink and JD made some assumptions. He thought he could tell.
OMG, I needed to laugh out loud! Thank you :)))
Anti-trans messaging will continue to fail, both in Hungary and hopefully also in the U.S., as people continue to struggle with escalating housing and health care and insurance costs, and they realize that transphobia is a costly and useless distraction that solves none of these problems.
People are finally figuring out who the REAL enemies are. And it's not trans people.
Thank you people of Hungary!!!!!!!!!
Hungarians realized that it's not trans people who are making their lives miserable, it's Orban and his corruption. Hopefully Americans are coming to that conclusion as well.
Best news of the week Erin! 😊🩷
Yay Hungarians!!!
The example of Poland has shown that extricating far-right demagoguery and prejudice from the state won't be a quick fix. I am also not completely convinced a politician who only defected from Fidesz two years ago will prove a reliable standard bearer for liberty and individual dignity. On the other hand, liberal Hungary showed last year that it was not afraid to stand up, be heard and counted and so there is a good chance that Magyar and Tisza can be pushed in the right direction, even if their original game plan was merely to not bother weaponising the state against LGBTQ+ people without undoing the damage already done. Perhaps this might also be one step towards Europe becoming what America ought to have been, though many more would be needed for that happy outcome.
So, our far right was watching the Hungarians for their inspiration? I hope they are watching now.
And US voters? Note that both sides are NOT the same, and that a high voter turnout can hav an impact on government going forward.
What a wonderful vote for all Hungarian citizens! I hope they are feeling joy and relief as the albatross is lifted from their necks.
Come on AMERICA! Let’s use the courage and persistence to get tRump and his ilk out of office!
Based on Hungary's history (during WW2), I have been concerned these last 16 years. Then, to have J.D. Vance parading around with the authoritarian (to the enthusiastic applause of the MAGA crowd), I feared for the worst. I'm cautiously optimistic now.
Even more importantly than the laws, the 2/3 majority enables him (really, his party) to undo the structural changes instituted over the past 16 years designed to make Orban's regime (which is more than just Orban himself) hard to displace.